Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

MUSIC
MUSIC
PICNIC CONCERT
The Picnic Concert is always anticipated by students, staff
and visitors alike, and never fails to generate excitement.
This year’s event was no different! There were so many
exceptional performances
it seems wrong to list
particular students. One
feature of the concert was
the spread of age groups
taking part. In previous
years, there has been a
larger portion of students
in the upper Senior School
who have performed,
whereas this year, there were
notably more performances
from the Preparatory School
and Years 7-9 students.
This is testament to the
enthusiasm for music across
the whole school.
It is always sad to do so, but those students who
are leaving at the end of this term were given
special mention. The Choirs and Ensembles
continue to go from strength to strength while
the small groups and soloists demonstrated
a distinct musical personality, not frequently
shown by young musicians.
As always, there was a lovely
warm and encouraging
atmosphere allowing the
students to give of their best.
EXHIBITION DAY
PERFORMANCES
This formal celebration of student
achievement was punctuated by a number of
wonderful performances. Amy Mason, Year
7, who is new to performance, sang with total
conviction. Tilly Goodwin, Year 8, who sang
a German Lied by Reger, gave a memorable
performance which was characterised by
nuanced vocal control. Eve Millward, Year
9, played the B Minor Waltz by Chopin with
genuine expressiveness and poise. Anna
Reviakina, Year 12, who sang Send in the
Clowns in a genuinely mature performance,
was subtle, expressive and fully engaged
with the audience.
DEPARTING
MUSIC STAFF
Thanks must be recorded to four superb colleagues who are leaving us for
pastures new. Firstly, we say goodbye to Mrs Katy Lyttle who has taught
Piano since 2012. Katy is a wonderfully diligent musician and teacher,
who encourages precision from her students. She leaves us to work at her
husband’s school. Mr Daniel Jones, Assistant Director of Music, has worked
at Ratcliffe since 2014, when the new Preparatory School opened and where
the majority of his work has been. Daniel has worked tirelessly to establish
a thriving musical culture; the Prep School is truly a singing school. Mrs
Rachel Jones has taught ‘Cello since 2015 and as part of the Year 4 String
Scheme, and has rapidly improved standards of lower string playing, as
evidenced in the termly RATS concerts. Finally, we say a sad farewell to Dr
James Winkley, our Music Graduate, who has had a busy year across both
the Preparatory and Senior Schools, teaching, accompanying and directing
the Intermediate Orchestra.
Mr E McCall
Director of Music
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